Blessed, not Lucky
Following the recent bushfires, there has been some discussion as to whether they were the result of God’s wrath and judgment against this nation, and particularly against the state of Victoria following the passing of the appalling abortion laws which allow the murder of even fully-formed infants in the womb.
I do not believe this was God’s judgment as such - although that may well come, if this nation does not turn around. However, I do believe that when people - whether individuals or nations - choose to follow false gods, then there comes a time when God hands them over and says, “OK, you want these false gods, then see what they can do for you. See how they can protect you in a crisis.”
I wrote the following the day before the fires swept through our town of Boolarra (a week before Black Saturday). I think it is even more relevant now.
AUSTRALIA - BLESSED, NOT LUCKY
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Just a few days ago we celebrated Australia Day. As I am part of our local Community Development Group, I joined the other members in the town park to cook a “typically Aussie” breakfast of sausages, bacon and eggs for about 250 people - around half the population of the town. We issued awards to people who, over the past year, have been outstanding in their service to the local community, and we listened to our local Councilor give a speech about what a great country we live in, and particularly what a great part of that great country is our local community. I’m sure no-one listening disagreed with him.
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Traditionally, Australia has been called “The Lucky Country.” With abundant natural resources, and freedom and opportunity for all, this is most certainly one of the best countries in the world. Some of us would say the best.
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Those benefits, however, did not come as a result of “luck”, but rather because of the blessings of God extended over us. Most Christians have heard Australia called “The Southland of the Holy Spirit”. That title comes from a prophetic declaration made by explorer Pedro Fernandez de Quiros in 1606, on what is now known as the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, and included Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South West Pacific. In 1603, de Quiros had been commissioned to search for the Southern Land, and in Espiritu Santo he thought he had found it. He issued the following proclamation:
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“Let the heavens, the earth, the waters with all their creatures and all those here present witness that I, Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros…in the name of Jesus Christ… hoist this emblem of the Holy Cross on which His (Jesus Christ’s ) person was crucified and whereon He gave His life for the ransom and remedy of all the human race… on this Day of Pentecost, 14 May 1606… I, take possession of all this part of the South as far as the pole in the name of Jesus… Which from now on shall be called the Southern land of the Holy Ghost… and this always and forever… “
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In God’s economy, this nation has been set aside as His, and because of that He has poured out His blessing upon us. That being so, it is tragic and shameful that so many in this nation do not even acknowledge the existence and reality of God, let alone thank Him for His bountiful blessings toward us. If we do not turn around and begin to acknowledge Him as our source, rather than luck; and if we do not as a nation begin to acknowledge His Lordship over us, we may well find that the time will soon come when the blessings will be withdrawn.
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Ten and a half years ago I did a prayer walk from Cairns to Koumala in northern Queensland - around 850 kms over two months. It was meant to be much longer, but sickness intervened and cut it short. As I was walking, I believe the Lord spoke to me, saying that if this nation did not repent and turn to Him the time would come when there would be many walking the roads of the nation - not to pray for the nation, as I was, but looking for whatever work was available, as happened in the Great Depression. I normally don’t like to talk in negatives, but as I watch the current world economic problems begin to impact our nation, I can’t help but wonder whether we are facing the fulfillment of that word.
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There is still hope. This nation can still repent. It can still turn away from all the false gods that have invaded the national spirit, and acknowledge the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ as its source and sovereign. It can still, as a nation, take up the declaration that we are “The South Land of the Holy Spirit”. It we do, then we will truly become the Blessed Country.
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This blog is © copyright Lynn Fowler.
There is one God, and one mediator between God and people, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:51 Timothy 2:5
English: World English Bible - WEB
5Â For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,)in Whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9Colossians 2:9
English: World English Bible - WEB
9Â For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,)and Whom God the Father has exalted to the highest place, giving Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11Philippians 2:9-11
English: World English Bible - WEB
9Â Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
10Â that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
11Â and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.)
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